SOCIAL

Ocean literacy is gaining traction in various institutions, aiming to embed an understanding of the ocean's influence on humans and vice versa.

Teach for the Ocean, Semester at Sea, UNESCO Ocean Literacy Portal, Monterey Aquarium

SOCIAL

A movement where individuals participate in ocean conservation, advocate for marine policies, and adopt ocean-friendly lifestyles.

Sea Change Project, Horizon Europe

SOCIAL

Permanent dwellings at sea, away from any territorial waters unlocks opportunities for rapid innovation in governance and new societies.

Seasteading Institute, French Polynesia

SOCIAL

Rising sea levels and extreme weather becomes a topic of significant concern across coastal communities, driving migration.

Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana

SOCIAL

Increasing popularity of ocean -inspired therapy practices, leveraging the biophilic benefits of marine environments for physiological health.

Blue Health

SOCIAL

Consumer behavior is moving towards healthier seafood, demanding transparency in fishing practices and traceability from sea to table.

Eco-Labeling, Seafood Watch

SOCIAL

Surge in advocacy and initiatives to reduce ocean plastic pollution, leading to innovations in alternatives and cleanup technologies.

#Break Free From Plastic, PlasticFreeOceans, Plastic Oceans

SOCIAL

Advances in robotic and digital technologies enabling immersive ocean exploration experiences, making the marine world accessible.

NOAA Ocean Explorer, OceanX

SOCIAL

There's an increasing focus on marine workforce development and new skills for a workforce that can work in evolving areas of the ocean economy.

World Bank’s PROBLUE, Blue Economy CRC

TECHNOLOGICAL

Autonomous robots and drones are increasingly being used for operations that can target collect data, and perform various functions in the ocean.

The Ocean Cleanup, System 03, Apeiron Labs

TECHNOLOGICAL

Internet of Things extends underwater, connecting devices, monitoring, tracking, and sharing data for energy, aquaculture, navigation and ecology.

MIT Media Lab Signal Kinetics: Ocean IoT

TECHNOLOGICAL

AI improving fisheries management by predicting fish population dynamics, optimizing sustainable catch limits, and combating illegal fishing.

Ai.Fish, Global Fishing Watch, The Nature Conservancy

TECHNOLOGICAL

Innovations in wave, tidal, and ocean thermal energy across the world hold potential to expand the renewable at a commercial scale.

Ocean HiWave-5, Mutriku Wave Power Plant, Carnegie Clean Energy

TECHNOLOGICAL

Offshore wind is gaining traction, decreasing prices, increasing water depth and capacity, and the development of floating substructures.

Growth in U.S, Taiwan, France, South Korea, China, Poland, Japan, India, Spain

TECHNOLOGICAL

Newer wearable technologies and robotics are enhancing performance, safety and efficiency for workers, improving health and productivity.

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Exoskeletons

TECHNOLOGICAL

Ocean-collected data is processed at discrete levels of scale and abstraction, from locally to the cloud, facilitating research and applications.

Sofar Ocean, Marine Labs, OceanMind, Hub Ocean

TECHNOLOGICAL

Emergence of sustainable and biodegradable fishing gear to reduce ghost fishing and waste nets, lines and traps as less polluting practices.

InDIGO , SeaAlive

TECHNOLOGICAL

3D printing and generative design used to create artificial coral reefs from natural materials, aiding in reef restoration and marine conservation.

Reef Design Lab, SeCORE, Archireef

TECHNOLOGICAL

Mining equipment advancements are enabling exploration and extraction of deep-sea minerals.

TMC, Global Sea Mineral Resources, Clarion-Clipperton Zone, ISA

ENVIRONMENTAL

Comprehensive mapping of marine biodiversity is aiding in conservation planning, identifying critical habitats and impacts of human activities.

Ocean Biodiversity Information System

ENVIRONMENTAL

Innovations and research in ocean carbon capture are expanding, utilizing the ocean's natural absorption capacity to mitigate climate change.

Running Tide, Gigablue

ENVIRONMENTAL

Without drastic action, plastic could outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050, as millions of tons of plastic get dumped into the oceans each year.

Microplastics Removal Systems, PlanetCare

ENVIRONMENTAL

Development of coastal infrastructure designed to withstand climate change effects, including sea-level rise, intense storms, and coastal erosion.

WeAdapt, Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, UNDP’s Adaptation

ENVIRONMENTAL

Restoration projects for mangroves and wetlands are being prioritized for their role in sequestration, habitat support, and erosion protection.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Freshwater Challenge, Decade on Restoration

ENVIRONMENTAL

Citizen science initiatives involve the public in ocean monitoring and data collection, contributing valuable information for research and analysis.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Parley for the Ocean

ENVIRONMENTAL

Increasing need for managing overconsumption, reducing endangered species fishing, and maintaining a sustainable diet.

Good Food Institute, Oceano

ENVIRONMENTAL

The global coverage of MPAs is 8.01%, divided into areas within national jurisdiction and those in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Blue Nature Alliance, Marine Conservation Institute

ENVIRONMETAL

Intensified research into ocean ecosystem services and its effects on marine life, with efforts to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Ocean Observatories Initiative, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Nautilus Live, Charles Darwin Foundation

ECONOMIC

The blue economy sees significant growth, utilizing ocean resources for economic development, job creation, and essential services.

Maritime-related GDP grew at 7.4% compared to the US average at 5.9%

ECONOMIC

Increased venture capital and governmental funding for ocean tech startups, focusing on innovation in marine industries and technologies.

SeaAhead, Propeller, BlueInvest

ECONOMIC

The development of ocean credit markets incentivizes sequestration projects in marine environments, contributing to restoration.

Blue Ventures Fair Carbon, GigaBlue, SeaTrees

ECONOMIC

New insurance products emerging to cover climate-related risks in maritime communities and industries, promoting resilience and adaptation.

Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company

ECONOMIC

Eco-tourism is a major trend for coastal businesses, increasingly helpful in conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices.

Oceanic Society, SeeTurtle

ECONOMIC

Investing grows in the marine sector, funding projects and companies with positive impacts on the human and planetary progress.

Ocean Impact Organization, Greenpeace

ECONOMIC

Collaborative platforms, marketplaces and applications facilitate exchange of goods and services, allowing multiple parties to share value.

WWF’s Coral Triangle

ECONOMIC

Alternate fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, and hybrid biofuels are gaining momentum along with retrofit engines and sails for net-zero goals.

Green Hydrogen, Ammonia, 65-95% less polluting

ECONOMIC

Tools for marine spatial planning support sustainable development, balancing economic activities with the protection of ecosystems.

UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

ECONOMIC

Coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to erosion, sea level rise, hurricanes and tsunamis, threatening lives, property and economies.

Expected annual global cost of flooding from 0.3% of global GDP in 2015 to 2.9 % by 2100.

POLITICAL

Reforms in global ocean governance aim to improve international cooperation on marine issues, for equitable use of ocean resources.

Food and Agricultural Organization guidelines for sustainable small-scale fisheries.

POLITICAL

Deployment of modern surveillance technologies for enforcing maritime law, combating illegal fishing, piracy, and ensuring maritime safety.

PolarCode, UNODC Maritime Crime Program, Treaty banning nuclear weapons on the seabed

POLITICAL

The delineation of marine zones and natural capital needing clearer governance over exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and ocean resources.

UN Law of the Seas, new no-fishing zones near the coast of South America spanning 166,000 sq km.

POLITICAL

There is an increase in geopolitical instability and tensions over marine boundaries, routes and natural resources such as oil and coal. 

Increased tensions in the Red Sea, South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Panama and Suez canals

POLITICAL

Expansion of international treaties aimed at reducing marine pollution, including plastics, run-off chemicals, and oil spills among other activities.

IMO MARPOL, London Protocol, UN Regional Seas

POLITICAL

Ocean science diplomacy emerges as a crucial approach for addressing transboundary marine issues and fostering international collaboration.

Debt Restructuring for Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Program

POLITICAL

There is greater recognition and demand for the justice of indigenous peoples rights, voice and participation for conservation of marine areas.

Coastal Marine Area of Original Peoples (ECMPO) by 11 indigenous communities in Guafo.

POLITICAL

Development of policies that promote the sustainable trade of marine products, supporting conservation efforts and responsible industries.

UN Trade and Development, International Chamber of Shipping, World Trade Organization

POLITICAL

Reducing trust for both government and commercial marine management policies, protocols and laws.

Over 600 treaties have been passed so far, with very few successes in ocean governance.